Dec 08, 2025 Clarendon County Council

[00:00:02]

ALL RIGHT, EVERYONE, IT'S

[1. Introductory Remarks]

I'D LIKE TO WELCOME EVERYONE TO OUR DECEMBER COUNTY COUNCIL MEETING.

WE'VE, UM, ALMOST MADE IT THROUGH THE YEAR, SO WE TRY AND GET ONE MORE BEHIND US.

UM, FIRST OFF, UH, IF EVERYONE WOULD PLEASE STAND OR SAY THE LORD'S PRAYER, FOLLOWED BY OUR PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE, OUR FATHER FOR HEAVEN.

HOW BE THY NAME.

THY KINGDOM COME, THOU WILL BE DONE ON EARTH AS IT IS IN HEAVEN.

GIVE US THIS DAY OUR DAILY BREAD, AND FORGIVE US OUR TRESPASSES AS WE GIVE THOSE WHO TRESPASS AGAINST US.

LEAD US, NOT TEMPTATION, BUT DELIVER US FROM EVIL.

FOR TH KINGDOM POWER IN THE GLORY FOREVER.

I PLEDGE THE LEAD US TO THE FLAG OF UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS.

ONE NATION, UNDERGROUND, INDIVIDUAL WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL.

NEXT, WE HAVE THE APPROVAL OF

[4. Approval of Agenda]

DO I HAVE A MOTION? WE APPROVE THE AGENDA.

CHAIRMAN.

SECOND.

I GOT A MOTION FROM COUNCILOR RICHARDSON.

SECOND FROM COUNCILMAN FRIERSON.

ALL IN FAVOR? AYE.

AYE.

ALL OPPOSED.

MOTION CARRIES.

NEXT I HAVE, UH,

[5. Approval of Minutes ]

DO I HAVE A MOTION? WE APPROVE THOSE MINUTES OPPOSED? SECOND, I GOT A MOTION FROM COUNCILMAN RODIN.

A SECOND.

COUNCILMAN RICHARDSON.

ALL IN FAVOR? A AYE.

ALL OPPOSED.

AND MOTION CARRIES.

NEXT, UH, BEFORE WE START SERVICE AWARDS, UM, WE HAVE A, A YOUNG LADY WITH US.

I THINK SHE'S LIKE EIGHT YEARS OLD.

AND, UH, EVERY YEAR OUR PARKS AND RECS DEPARTMENT HAS A, UH, HOLIDAY CARD DESIGN AND, AND THEY LET CHILDREN DESIGN HOLIDAY CARDS.

AND, AND THIS YOUNG LADY, MISS DARCY BARO ONE, OUR HOLIDAY CARD DESIGN.

MS. DARCY, IF YOU WOULD PLEASE COME FORWARD.

ALL MR. CHAIRMAN, SHE'S GOT HER CARD WITH HER AND HER FIRST PLACE WRITTEN, AND IF Y'ALL WOULD BE SO DONE, I'D LIKE TO GET A PICTURE.

COME ON.

NEXT.

[6. Service Awards Recognition – Leonard Lowery, HR Director ]

ONE, MY, OUR HR DIRECTOR IS NOT ABLE TO BE WITH US TEAM MEETING.

I'M THOMAS MCCALL, THE BENEFITS ADMINISTRATOR, AND I'M HONORED TO BE TAKING THIS PLACE TO GIVE OUT THE WONDERFUL VOICE TO OUR EMPLOYEES, CLA COUNTY.

SO WITHOUT FURTHER A FOR FIVE YEARS OF SERVICE WITH THE DEPARTMENT, WE HAD MR. FOR FIVE YEARS WITH THE RECREATION DEPARTMENT.

WE, AND NOW MOVING ON TO 10 YEARS OF SERVICE WITH FIRE RESCUE.

WE HAVE CHIEF JONATHAN, AND NEXT, WITH 15 YEARS OF SERVICE WITH THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT, LIEUTENANT LINDA L. MARTIN SMITH.

OKAY.

[00:05:05]

AND LAST BUT ABSOLUTELY NOT LEAST, WE HAVE 25 YEARS OF SERVICE.

AND I'D JUST LIKE TO SAY FOR THIS PERSON, IF THEY HAD A THEME SONG, IT WOULD BE WALKING ON SUNSHINE .

I HAVE NEVER, I'VE BEEN HERE ALMOST 20 YEARS MYSELF, AND I'VE NEVER NOT SEEN HIM WITH A SMILE ON HIS FACE AND JOY IN HIS HEART.

AND A PEP IN HIS STEP 25 YEARS OF SERVICE CHIEF MICHAEL JOHNSON WITH THE FIRE RESCUE.

THANK YOU.

THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR SERVICE.

NEXT UP, WE HAVE OUR PUBLIC

[7. Public Comments (Total of five (5) available speaking spots, three (3) minutes per speaker) ]

FIRST ON THE LIST IS MR. GEORGE FRIERSON.

I WANTED TO MAKE SURE, MR. CHAIRMAN, THE TIME DIDN'T STOP BEFORE I GOT UP AT THE MIC.

THAT'S RIGHT.

WE, WE WON'T STOP.

WE WON'T START.

WE START TALKING.

YEAH, BECAUSE UM, LAST MONTH AT THE VOTER REGISTRATION MEETING, I WAS THE ONLY ONE THAT SPOKE.

AND I, YOU COULD HEAR ME SING.

CAN I GET TWO SLOTS? BECAUSE I WAS THE ONLY ONE THAT SPOKE AND I WAS TOLD ABSOLUTELY NOT.

AND ALL THE VOCALS WENT OFF.

SOME PEOPLE CALLED IN TO SAY WE CAN'T HEAR HIM.

I HAVEN'T TOUCHED THIS MIC.

IN FACT, MR. BARO JUST CAME ON TO MAKE SURE THIS MIC WAS ON.

SO I DON'T TOUCH THE MIC.

BUT AGAIN, UH, YOU KNOW, I'VE BEEN GETTING A LOT OF CALLS SINCE YOUR SPECIAL CALL MEETING ON OCTOBER 2ND WHEN MR. ACKERMAN WAS, WAS ACTUALLY HIRED.

I WANNA SAY THIS YEAR I'M A HISTORIAN AND I DIG A LITTLE BIT, SO I DUG A LITTLE BIT.

AND, UM, I THINK Y'ALL MAYBE NEED TO GO BACK AND LOOK AT THAT HIGHER.

I THINK Y'ALL NEED TO DO THAT.

AIN'T TELLING Y'ALL WHAT TO DO, BUT YOU NEED TO GO BACK AND LOOK AT THAT HIGHER.

I WAS, UM, I WAS LISTENING AT THE RADIO AS I WAS COMING AND I, YOU KNOW, THEY SAID THAT THE FARMERS WILL RECEIVE 12 MILLION OR BILLION DOLLARS, UH, RELEASED BECAUSE OF TARIFFS.

NOW I WANNA KNOW WHO PUT THE TARIFFS ON.

I WANNA KNOW WHO PUT THE TARIFF ON.

SO WHY SHOULD YOU DO SOMETHING IN THERE? TRY TO UNDO IT AT THE TAXPAYER'S EXPENSE.

NOW, THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE TO PAY PUBLIC DOLLARS IS WE THE PUBLIC.

NOW I'M RETIRED, SO I DON'T NEED SOMEBODY MAKING A DECISION TO TAKE AWAY MY MONEY THAT I EARNED.

JUST THAT SIMPLE.

NOW, THE OTHER THING IS, I WAS LOOKING AT LAW ENFORCEMENT, A YOUNG MAN SITTING BACK THEN.

I THANK HIM FOR SERVING AS A POLICEMAN.

WELL, I WOULDN'T BE A COP.

I'M A MILITARY VETERAN.

I'M A VIETNAM VETERAN.

AND SO IT AIN'T THAT.

I'M SCARED.

I JUST WOULDN'T BE A COP.

NOW HERE'S A PICTURE OF THE SHERIFF IN THE LATE TEENS EIGHTIES FROM CLARINE COUNTY.

HIS NAME IS DANIEL.

JUSTIN BRADLEY.

HE WAS BORN ON THE 6TH OF OCTOBER, 1841 IN CLARINE COUNTY, SOUTH CAROLINA.

HE DIED ON THE, ON CHRISTMAS DAY, 25TH OF DECEMBER, 19 52, 15 AT THE AGE OF 74.

AND HE'S BURIED IN MANNING CEMETERY.

I WENT DOWN TO MOUNT ZERO CHURCH YESTERDAY.

I STARTED TO COME BACK TO MANNING, BUT THEN I SAW ROAD SAID BRADHAM ROAD.

I'M GONNA FIND OUT IF THAT ROAD IS NAMED AFTER SHERIFF BOW, BECAUSE THIS IS HIM.

HE ALREADY D THE THIS, THIS IS HIM.

SO I THINK, I GUESS I GOT 30 MORE SECONDS.

AGAIN, I WANNA SAY THAT I'M ALAN AND COUNTY NATIVE.

I WAS BORN HERE.

NOW, WHEN PEOPLE COMING IN FROM THE OUTSIDE AND BRINGING THEIR BAGGAGE WITH THEM, WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE VERY VIGILANT BECAUSE REMEMBER, YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THOSE WHO ELECT YOU.

WE THANK YOU MA'AM.

SIR, I GOT NINE SECONDS LEFT.

MY BIRTHDAY IS DECEMBER THE NINTH.

SO I I

[00:10:04]

THAT'S THE MARK.

THAT'S TOMORROW.

Y'ALL CAN GIMME THE BIRTHDAY PRESENT TONIGHT.

YEAH.

YEAH, THAT'S THE MARK.

NEXT WE HAVE MR. JOHNNY WILSON, WHO WANTS TO TALK ABOUT COMMUNITY CONCERNS, ALWAYS COMMUNITY CONCERNS.

I THINK YOU ALL WANT TO COUNCIL, I THINK ALL OF THE, UH, THE SHERIFFS AND THE POLICE DEPARTMENT AND ALL OF THAT.

I JUST WANT TO ASK A FEW QUESTIONS.

BUT I WANT TO SHOW YOU SOMETHING SINCE THE LAST TIME I WAS BEFORE YOU.

THIS IS MY CALENDAR.

I KEEP CALENDARS IN EVERY ROOM JUST IN CASE I'M STUCK IN THAT ROOM.

EVERY THING THAT'S MARKED ON THIS CALENDAR IS WHERE I HAD TO CALL FOR NOISE DISTURB IN MY COMMUNITY EVERY DAY.

I CAN'T EVEN BE COMFORTABLE WITH MY SIGNIFICANT OTHER BECAUSE THERE'S A NOISE DISTURBANCE.

UH, THE QUESTIONS THAT I HAVE TO ASK YOU, SIR, AND ANYONE THAT MAY BE ABLE TO ANSWER THE QUESTION, IS THERE A DISTURBANCE OR DISTURBING THE PEACE LAW IN CLARENDON COUNTY? I'M SAYING DISTURBING THE PEACE ALONG WITH THE, UH, NOISE ORDINANCE THAT STOPS AT 10.

BECAUSE WHEN THE, WHEN I MAKE THE CALL, IT'S ALWAYS, WELL, YOU KNOW, THE NOISE ORDINANCE UNTIL IS TILL 10.

BUT AT TWO O'CLOCK THE NOISE IS STILL GOING ON.

NOW THIS IS RIGHT NEXT.

THIS IS THIS.

CLOSE TO ME.

THIS CLOSE.

I LIKE TO THINK THAT I'M A PRETTY NICE GUY.

I KNOW I DON'T TALK TO PEOPLE 'CAUSE I DON'T LIKE PEOPLE.

THEY FAKE, THEY PHONY AND THEY THINK YOU'RE SCARED OF THEM.

AND I DON'T WANT THEM TO HAVE TO TEST ME ON THAT.

HOW CAN YOU SUBMIT MY NEXT QUESTION? A WRITTEN PROPOSAL TO CHARGE TO, TO CHANGE THE NOISE ORDINANCE? WHO DO I WRITE THAT TO? I'M A VERY PROLI, I'M A PROLIFIC.

I WRITE WELL.

I GRADUATED WITH AN ENGLISH DEGREE.

I WRITE VERY WELL, SPEAK VERY WELL PRIOR TO CHAT GPT.

SO I WOULD LIKE TO WRITE AN ORDINANCE AND PRESENT IT RATHER IT'S REJECTED OR NOT JUST FOR THE FACT THAT THE COMMUNITY NEEDS TO KNOW THAT YOU HAVE A RIGHT TO DEFEND YOURSELF AND EVERY LEVEL OF THE LAW UNDER THE LAW.

MY LAST AND MOST IMPORTANT QUESTION IS AFTER THREE AND A HALF YEARS, MAYBE TWO AND A HALF, FOUR YEARS, IF I HAVE TO CALL IN FOR SOMEONE MAKING NOISE, THEY NEVER GET A TICKET.

THEY NEVER, THEY GET A A, A BRIEF WARNING.

CAN I MAKE NOISE? BECAUSE I'M A DJ, I GOT ENOUGH SPEAKERS THAT'LL BLOW FROM PIGGLY WIGGLY ALL THE WAY DOWN HERE.

IF WE GONNA DO IT THAT WAY, CAN I DO IT AND BE NO TICKETS, NO NOTHING, BECAUSE I ROCK THE NEIGHBORHOOD EVERY NIGHT.

AND, AND SOMEBODY HAVE TO SAY, I BELIEVE NOISE MAKES A DIFFERENCE.

I BELIEVE THAT.

LET'S MAKE A LOT OF NOISE.

UH, LAST BUT NOT LEAST, I DON'T DRINK.

I DON'T SMOKE.

I DON'T SNORT COKE.

I DON'T DRINK NO LIQUOR, NO BEER.

SO IF YOU FIND ME ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD IN A CAR SOMEWHERE DEAD WITH BEER AND COCAINE IN THE CAR, SOMEBODY KILLED ME BECAUSE I DON'T DO THAT.

THANK YOU.

NEXT UP, THIRD AND FINAL.

MR. CLAYTON PACK, TALK ABOUT ROAD.

GOOD EVENING.

I'M CLAYTON PACK.

UM, I'M COMING AS A SQUEAKING WHEEL.

Y'ALL ALREADY KNOW ABOUT BARNWELL.

BARNWELL IS BAD.

IT THAT ROAD HAVE ROCKS ON IT.

THIS ROAD READY IN MANNY HAVE ROCKS ON THE END OF THE ROAD.

IT, THEY HAVE ICE PACK.

IT'S GETTING READY TO GET COLD AGAIN.

THEY'D HAVE A, WITH THINGS FREEZE UP RIGHT THERE ON THE BEGINNING OF THE ROAD.

I JUST NEED HELP.

Y'ALL, I DONE TALKED TO EVERY LAST ONE OF Y'ALL.

MAYBE THE NEW TRATOR.

I HAVEN'T TALKED TO HIM YET, BUT PLEASE HELP US WITH THAT ROAD.

THAT'S ALL I WANT.

JUST HELP ME GET THAT ROAD FIXED.

ARETHA, SHE LIVES ON THAT ROAD AND, UM, I MEAN WE, AND WENT THROUGH EVERYTHING Y'ALL KNOW.

I DONE COME TO Y'ALL SEVERAL TIMES AND I FIGURE IF I COME AS A SQUEAKING WHEEL, MAYBE I GET SOMETHING DONE.

SO, SQUEAK, SQUEAK, SQUEAK, PLEASE.

THE BEARINGS ARE WHERE TO BE WORN OUT IF Y'ALL DON'T GREASE ME.

YEAH, I'M GONNA MAKE SOME NOTES.

WHAT'D YOU SAY? THE NAME OF THE ROAD IS? BARNWELL ROAD.

BARNWELL.

BARNWELL STREET.

BARNWELL STREET.

THAT'S THE, THAT'S THE DEAD END ROAD.

YEP.

YEP.

THAT'S THE DEAD END ROAD.

[00:15:01]

OKAY? YES.

Y'ALL DON'T HAVE A DATE ON IT THOUGH.

Y'ALL HAVE A DATE ON ALL THE REST OF THEM? IF I CAN ADD SOME CONTEXT TO THAT.

UM, WE'VE ALREADY, WHAT WE WERE WAITING ON WERE THE PERMITS FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES.

AND IF ANYBODY KNOWS ABOUT THE PERMITTING PROCESS, IT HAS BEEN EXTENDED.

UM, I HAVE SHARED THAT, YES.

UH, WITH MS. JOHNSON.

AND, UM, THEY HAVE ALREADY BIDDED THIS, ROLLED OUT THIS ROAD IS, UM, THERE SHOULD HAVE BEEN SOME SURVEYING ALREADY DONE ON THIS ROAD AS WELL.

SO WE EXPECT ACTION IN JANUARY.

IN JANUARY, YES.

OKAY.

OKAY.

WE'LL BE BACK IN JANUARY.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

THANK YOU FOR SHOOTING.

BAR SOME GREASE ON THE BARONS.

THANK YOU.

NEXT

[8. Requests (Part 1 of 2)]

UM, DO I HAVE A MOTION? WE APPROVED THE HOLIDAY SCHEDULE FOR 2026.

I'LL MAKE A MOTION.

APPROVE A MOTION FROM COUNCILMAN COPE.

SECOND FROM COUNCILMAN RYON.

ALL IN FAVOR? AYE.

ALL OPPOSED HAVE A MOTION CARRIED THE ACCOMMODATION TAX COMMITTEE REQUEST.

MR. CHAIRMAN? YES, SIR.

POINT OF ORDER.

UM, I THINK WE SKIPPED OVER NUMBER EIGHT.

EIGHT EIGHT, UM, APPROVAL OF THE, OF THE EIGHT.

EIGHT.

YEAH.

YES SIR.

APPROVAL OF THE COUNTY COUNCIL MEETING SCHEDULE FOR 2026.

YES, SIR.

OKAY.

YEAH.

UM, DO I HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE, THE 2026 REGULAR SCHEDULED MEETING SCHEDULE? I'LL MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE.

I GOT A MOTION FROM COUNCILMAN COKER.

A SECOND FROM COUNCILMAN RODIN.

ALL IN FAVOR? AYE.

ALL OPPOSED? AND THAT MOTION CARRIES.

UM, EIGHT C, THE ACCOMMODATION TAX COMMITTEE REQUEST APPROVAL OF FUNDING FOR THE FOUNTAIN OPERATION.

UH, 75,000 SANTI COOPER COMPANY COUNTRY, UH, 12,000 AND SOUTH CAROLINA WATERFOWL ASSOCIATION BIRD FEST 5,000.

DO I HAVE A MOTION? WE APPROVE THAT.

I MOTION I'LL MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE.

SECOND, UH, MOTION FROM COUNCILMAN COKER.

SECOND FROM COUNCILMAN RICHON.

I MEAN, YEAH.

RICHON.

ALL IN FAVOR? AYE.

ALL OPPOSED.

MOTION CARRIES.

UH, EIGHT D SANTI COOPER COUNTRY PROMOTION COMMISSIONING IS REQUESTING 59,950 FROM THE HOSPITALITY FUND TO BE USED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE STATE LAWS TO FINANCE THE FOLLOWING.

2026 BASS MASTERS COLLEGE SERIES FISHING TOURNAMENT, $32,750.

THE 2026 BASS MASTERS JUNIOR HIGH HIGH SCHOOL FISHING TOURNAMENT, $9,750 AND SANTEE COOPER COUNTRY $12,500.

DO I HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE THAT? HOLD UP, HOLD UP LETTER.

EXCUSE ME.

I MAY, I'M SORRY.

THIS IS MY FIRST GRADE, SO I'M NOT EXACTLY SURE THE PROCESS WHEN I WAS SUPPOSED TO COME UP.

MY NAME IS WHITNEY PHILLIPS AND I'M HERE ON BEHALF OF THE AT TAX COMMITTEE.

THANK YOU FOR VOTING IN FAVOR OF OUR REQUEST.

BUT THERE IS ONE THING THAT WE, I'M HERE TONIGHT ON BEHALF OF THAT COMMITTEE TO ASK THE COUNCIL TO CONSIDER OR TO HELP GUIDE US MOVING FORWARD THE REQUEST FOR THE FELTON OPERATION OF $75,000.

THAT LINE ITEM ON OUR BUDGET HAS BEEN THERE FOR MULTIPLE YEARS, 10 PLUS, IF I'M NOT MISTAKEN, WE WOULD LIKE TO ASK THE COUNCIL NOW THAT IT'S BEEN ALREADY APPROVED, BUT TO CONSIDER OTHER AREAS THAT THAT MONEY CAN COME FROM MOVING FORWARD SO WE CAN FREE UP THAT LINE ITEM ON OUR BUDGET TO BETTER USE THOSE FUNDS MOVING FORWARD.

SO THAT'S MY PURPOSE FOR STANDING HERE TONIGHT, WAS TO ASK ANSWER QUESTIONS IF YOU HAD ANY ABOUT THAT OR, UM, JUST PUT THAT OUT THERE.

I'M NOT SURE THAT MOVING FORWARD THE COMMITTEE IS GOING TO APPROVE THAT REQUEST FOR THOSE FUNDS AND WE JUST DIDN'T WANT NEXT YEAR TO COME UP AND SOMEONE SAY, WELL, WHY DID THEY NOT DO IT THIS TIME WHEN THEY'VE DONE IT IN THE YEARS PAST.

SO IF YOU DON'T HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, I'LL TAKE MY LEAVE, BUT IF NOT, I'M HERE TO ANSWER IF YOU HAVE ANY.

SO YOU'RE SAYING THAT IT'S BEEN APPROVED FOR THIS YEAR THROUGH A ATX COMMITTEE, BUT, HUH? YES SIR.

WE, BUT BUT YOU WOULD LIKE FOR US TO LOOK

[00:20:01]

AS IN THIS, IF THIS IS TO BE FUNDED BY CLATON COUNTY, IT WOULD NOT COME OUT OF THE BUDGET FOR THE AT TAX COMMITTEE SO THAT WE COULD USE THOSE FUNDS MOST APPROPRIATELY FOR WHAT IT'S INTENDED FOR.

OKAY.

YES SIR.

THANK YOU.

THANK YOU.

ALRIGHT, NOW DO I HAVE A MOTION? WE APPROVE LINE ITEM D.

UM, I HAVE A MOTION FROM COUNCILMAN ODE.

SECOND.

SECOND.

I'M COUNCILMAN COKER.

ALL IN FAVOR? UH, AYE.

ALL OPPOSED? AND THAT MOTION CARRIES.

NEXT WE HAVE BOARD APPOINTMENTS

[9. Board Appointments ]

SO, MOVE MR. CHAIRMAN.

SECOND.

I HAVE A MOTION.

COUNCILMAN RICHARDSON.

SECOND FROM COUNCILMAN FRISSON.

ALL IN FAVOR A.

AYE.

ALL OPPOSED, CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR REAPPOINTMENT.

UM, LINE ITEM B AUTHORIZATION TO REAPPOINT THE FOLLOWING MEMBERS TO THE CLA COUNTY ASSESSMENT APPEALS BOARD TO SERVE ANOTHER TERM.

STACEY R MCKENNA REPRESENTING DISTRICT TWO BOND GARDNER MEMBER AT LARGE AND JULIA RICKEN BAKER REPRESENTING DISTRICT ONE.

SO MOVE MR. CHAIRMAN.

I HAVE A MOTION COUNCIL RICHARDSON, SECOND COUNCILOR FREON.

ALL IN FAVOR? AYE.

AYE.

ALL OPPOSED.

CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR REAPPOINTMENT.

NEXT IS A LEASE AGREEMENT

[10. Lease Agreement ]

MR. CHAIRMAN.

SORRY, MR. CHAIRMAN, UM, BEFORE YOU TONIGHT IS, IS AUTHORIZATION TO EXECUTE A CAPITAL LEASE AGREEMENT? UM, I THINK IT'S, IT'S IMPERATIVE THAT COUNCIL UNDERSTAND THIS IS EQUIPMENT THAT'S GONNA BE PLACED IN THE NEW EOC 9 1 1 FACILITY.

UM, BUT WE'RE PROBABLY A YEAR OUT FROM PLACING THAT EQUIPMENT IN.

WE'RE ASKING COUNCIL TO AUTHORIZE US TO EXECUTE THIS LEASE AGREEMENT IN LIEU OF ISSUING A PURCHASE ORDER.

UM, IF WE EITHER A, ENTER THE PURCHASE ORDER OR B, EXECUTE THE LEASE AGREEMENT THAT LOCKS IN OUR CURRENT PRICING, UM, THE TOTAL COST FOR THAT EQUIPMENT IS ABOUT $1,274,000.

UM, IF WE WAIT SEVERAL MONTHS, OF COURSE THAT PRICE IS GONNA GO UP 'CAUSE NOTHING EVER GOES DOWN.

BUT THE REASON WHY WE WANNA DO THE LEASE AGREEMENT IS IF WE ISSUED A PURCHASE ORDER, WE WOULD'VE TO PAY 25% DOWN PAYMENT, BUT WE'RE STILL NOT GONNA GET THE EQUIPMENT FOR ABOUT A YEAR.

SO IT WOULD BE TYING UP OUR FUNDS.

WE'VE ACTUALLY IDENTIFIED THE FUNDING TO PAY FOR THE EQUIPMENT IN FULL.

SO WE ACTUALLY WON'T MAKE LEASE PAYMENTS AND INCUR ANY INTEREST COSTS.

SO THERE'S NO EARLY PREPAYMENT PENALTY ON THE LEASE.

SO ONCE THE EQUIPMENT GETS PUT IN BEFORE THE FIRST LEASE PAYMENT IS DUE IN 27, UM, THEN WE'LL PAY OFF THE ENTIRE PURCHASE AT ONE TIME.

OKAY.

YOU GOT ANY QUESTIONS ON THAT? UH, UH, SO THIS LEASE AGREEMENT, THE ONLY THING YOU'RE DOING HERE IS JUST MAKING SURE THAT THE PRICE DON'T GO UP BEFORE TIME? YES, SIR.

YES, SIR.

AND THEY'LL, WHAT? SO WHAT THEY'LL DO IS THEY'LL GO AHEAD AND PUT THE EQUIPMENT ON ORDER AND LOCK IT IN AT THE DAY'S PRICE WITH A FUTURE DELIVERY DATE OF ABOUT NINE MONTHS DOWN THE ROAD SO THAT THEY CAN GET IT IN, DO WHAT THEY'VE GOTTA DO WITH IT, AND THEN IT'LL BE READY TO INSTALL IN THE BUILDING ONCE THE THE WALLS ARE UP AND ALL THAT STUFF.

OKAY.

SO, YOU KNOW, THIS AGREEMENT DON'T REQUIRE YOU TO LEASE IT, RIGHT? SO THIS IS A DIFFERENT KIND OF LEASE.

SO MOST PEOPLE THINK OF A LEASE, LIKE I PERSONALLY GO OUT AND LEASE A CAR, SO I'M KIND OF RENTING IT.

UM, THIS IS A, THIS LEASE IS WHAT'S CALLED A CAPITAL LEASE.

UM, IT'S A DIFFERENT MECHANISM THAT GOVERNMENTS CAN USE TO PAY FOR THINGS.

UM, SO IT, IT HAS ADVANTAGES AND THERE'S SOME DISADVANTAGES.

UM, YOU COULD PROBABLY ISSUE A BOND AND GET A BETTER INTEREST RATE.

BUT ON A CAPITAL LEASE THEY HAVE A STATED INTEREST RATE OF 4.49%, BUT AGAIN, WE'LL PAY IT OFF BEFORE WE EVER ACTUALLY INCUR ANY INTEREST EXPENSE.

SO THIS IS JUST THE BEST OVERALL VEHICLE FOR US TO GO AHEAD AND RESERVE THIS EQUIPMENT AT THE CURRENT PRICING WITHOUT HAVING TO PAY A DEPOSIT OR DOWN PAYMENT.

OKAY.

THANK YOU.

YOU'RE WELCOME.

I'LL MAKE A MOTION TO PROVE THE DEAN.

I GOT A MOTION FROM COUNCILMAN COKER.

SECOND FOR COUNCILMAN RODIN.

ALL IN FAVOR? AYE.

[00:25:01]

NEXT WE HAVE

[11. A Resolution of Clarendon County, South Carolina ]

PROJECT BON, I COULDN'T, I KEEP TELLING THEM TO PUT YOU AT THE END AND THEY KEEP PUTTING YOU IN THE MIDDLE.

I DON'T KNOW WHY I LIKE SECOND MR. CHAIRMAN MEMBER OF THE COUNCIL STAFF.

SO THIS IS A, IS THIS EVERYONE, UH, MR. CHAIRMAN MEMBERS OF COUNCIL STAFF.

UH, WHAT THIS DOES IS AT THE TIME WHEN WE NEGOTIATED THE AGREEMENT FOR PROJECT BONJOURNO, WHICH WE ANNOUNCED, UH, IN THE SUMMER, WHICH IS HARMONIC CORPORATION, WHICH IS GOING TO INVEST, UH, 250 MILLION AND CREATE 300 JOBS OUT IN THE, UH, ELUDE WHAT WE CALL THE ALU TECHNOLOGY AND INDUSTRIAL PARK.

THE PHYSICAL SITE, UH, WAS NOT DESCRIPTIVE AND, UH, WELL ENOUGH.

SO WHAT WE'VE HAD TO DO IS GO BACK AND ADD THIS RESOLUTION.

WHAT THIS DOES IS IT ADDS THE PROPERTY TO THE MULTI-COUNTY PARK AGREEMENT THAT WE CURRENTLY HAVE THE MASTER AGREEMENT WITH SUMTER COUNTY, UH, AND ALLOWS US TO, UH, EXECUTE THE, UH, FEE IN LIEU OF PROPERTY TAX AND A SPECIAL SOURCE REVENUE CREDIT.

SO THIS IS JUST, UH, A BETTER DESCRIPTION OF THE ACTUAL PROPERTY WHERE IT'S GONNA BE LOCATED.

AND FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO DON'T KNOW IT, IT WILL BE LOCATED IN ALGA BEHIND THE EXXON STATION, UH, BETWEEN, UH, GREENHALL CHURCH ROAD AND NER ROAD IS WHERE THIS, THIS, UH, FACILITY WILL BE LOCATED.

YOU GOT ANY QUESTIONS FOR MR. JOEL? IT ACTUALLY HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH SUMTER COUNTY, RIGHT? UH, IT DOESN'T, IT DOESN'T.

WHAT IT DOES IS, UM, WE HOLD A MULTI-COUNTY PARKER AGREEMENT WITH SUMTER COUNTY, WHICH ALLOWS US TO PUT PROPERTY INTO A FEE, A FEE IN LIEU OF PROPERTY TAX AND A SPECIAL SOURCE REVENUE CREDIT.

1% OF THE PROCEEDS FROM THIS GO TO SUMTER COUNTY AND THE REST COME TO US.

SAME THING WITH SUMTER COUNTY.

WHEN THEY PUT SOMETHING INTO THAT MULTI-COUNTY PARK AGREEMENT, 1% OF THE PROCEEDS, OR NOT PROCEEDS, BUT TAX REVENUE COLLECTED COMES TO US AND THE REST GOES TO SUMTER COUNTY.

OKAY.

ANY MORE QUESTIONS? ALRIGHT, DO I HAVE A MOTION? WE APPROVE THIS.

I GOT A MOTION FROM COUNCILMAN RICHARDSON, SECOND FROM COUNCILOR FRESH.

AND ALL IN FAVOR? AYE.

AYE.

ALL OPPOSED.

MOTION CARRIES.

UM, NEXT ON RESOLUTION

[12. Resolution 2025-07 ]

UH, I THINK THEY GOTTA GO OVER A COUPLE THINGS BEFORE.

OKAY.

I HAVE, I HAVE A MOTION TO TABLE THIS RESOLUTION AT THIS TIME FROM COUNCILMAN CO COUNCILMAN RICHARD.

ALL IN FAVOR? ALL.

ALL OPPOSED.

MOTION CARRIES.

NEXT WE HAVE

[13. Ordinance 2025-13 ]

AN ORDINANCE AMENDING TIPPING FEES AND POLICIES WITH RESPECT TO THE ACCEPTANCE OF WASTE TIRES AT COUNTY SOLID WASTE FACILITIES.

DO WE HAVE ANY, ANY QUESTIONS? I'LL MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE A MOTION FOR COUNCILMAN COKER.

SECOND, COUNCILMAN RODIN.

ALL IN FAVOR? ALL OPPOSED.

MOTION CARRIES.

NEXT WE HAVE ORDINANCE

[14. Ordinance 2025-14 ]

DO I HAVE A MOTION? WE APPROVE THIS SPECIAL SOURCE CHAIRMAN, I GOT A MOTION FROM COUNCILMAN RICHARDSON.

SECOND FROM COUNCILMAN RODIN.

ALL IN FAVOR? AYE.

A.

ALL OPPOSED MOTION CARRIES.

NEXT WE HAVE A

[15. Public Hearing – Ordinance 2025-15 ]

[00:30:01]

THIS IS A PUBLIC HEARING ON THAT ORDINANCE.

DOES ANYBODY HAVE ANYTHING THEY'D LIKE TO SAY? ALL RIGHT.

NEXT ORDINANCE

[16. Ordinance 2025-15 ]

CONSIDERATION OF THE SECOND READING OF ORDINANCE 2025 DASH 15 AND ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE FIRST AMENDMENT OF THAT CERTAIN FEE IN LIEU OF TAX INCENTIVE WITH SAN ELECTOR.

DO I HAVE A MOTION? WE APPROVE THAT.

I MOTION SECOND.

I GOT A MOTION FROM COUNCILMAN RODIN.

A SECOND FROM COUNCILMAN COLER.

ALL IN FAVOR? ALL OPPOSED.

MOTION CARRIES.

NEXT UP IS ORDINANCE

[17. Ordinance 2025-16 With Maps ]

UM, WITH MAPS CONSIDERATION OF THE FIRST READING OF ORDINANCE 2025 DASH 16 AN ORDINANCE OF COUNTY COUNCIL OF CLARINE, CLAREDON COUNTY, SOUTH CAROLINA TO AMEND THE COUNTY'S OFFICIAL ZONING MAP DESIGNATION FOR TAX MAP PARCEL ONE 40 DASH ZERO DASH ZERO FOUR DASH 0 0 2 0 AGRICULTURAL TWO TO GENERAL COMMERCIAL AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.

WE GOT ANY QUESTIONS ON THIS? EXPLAIN THAT TO US.

YEAH, YEAH, I WOULD LIKE, I GOT A QUESTION.

HOW ABOUT COME TELL US WHAT THAT IS? MR. TALL .

GOOD EVENING, MR. CHAIRMAN AND MEMBERS OF COUNCIL, UM, THIS IS A RECOMMENDATION FROM THE PLANNING COMMISSION, UM, THAT THEY'RE WANTING TO, UM, REZONE PROJECT Z DASH 25 0 3 AND THIS IS A ZONING AMENDMENT.

A REQUEST FOR THE PARCEL ID YOU JUST INDICATED, UM, 1 4 0 DASH ZERO DASH ZERO FOUR DASH 0 0 2 DASH ZERO ZERO.

AND THIS IS LOCATED ALONG ALEX HARVEY HIGHWAY.

UM, THE APPLICANT, UM, MR. PETER THOMPSON, UM, HE'S REQUESTING REZONING OF THE PROPERTY FROM AGRICULTURAL TWO TO GENERAL COMMERCIAL TO ALLOW THE DEVELOPMENT OF A RECREATIONAL VEHICLE SALES LOT.

UM, THE SITE IS APPROXIMATELY 2.0 ACRES AND IS CURRENTLY UNDEVELOPED.

UM, UNDER THE SOUTH CAROLINA LAW.

THE BURDEN OF PROOF LIES WITH THE APPLICANT TO PROVIDE CLEAR AND CONVINCING EVIDENCE THAT THE OFFICIAL ZONING MAP SHOULD BE AMENDED.

UM, THE 2018 COMPREHENSIVE PLAN, UM, DOES NOT SPECIFICALLY REFERENCE RV SALES LOT, HOWEVER, UM, THE PROPOSED USE IS CONSISTENT, UM, WITH SEVERAL GUIDING AND GROWTH POLICIES WITH WHICH INCLUDES, UM, GOAL ONE TO ENCOURAGE SUSTAINABLE AND EFFICIENT GROWTH THAT PRESERVES THE COUNTY, UM, THE COMMUNITY, UM, CHARACTER AND OBJECTIVE 1.3 DIRECT COMMERCIAL GROWTH TOWARDS MAJOR TRANSPORTATION CORRIDORS AND GOAL THREE TO FOSTER ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY.

AND OBJECTIVE GOAL 3.2 IS TO SUPPORT TOURISM AND COMMERCIAL ENTERPRISE NEAR INTERSTATE TRAVEL ROUTES.

UM, GIVEN THE SITE'S PERMIT CITY TO INTERSTATE 95, THE REQUEST ALIGNS WITH THE COUNTY GOALS FOR ECONOMIC EXPANSION ALONG HIGH VISIBILITY TRAVEL CORRIDORS AND THE AREA THAT IS SURROUNDING THIS PARTICULAR PIECE OF PROPERTY.

UM, THE NORTH OF IT IS RURAL RESI RESIDENT AREAS WITH AGRICULTURAL PARCELS.

THE SOUTH IS LIGHT INDUSTRIAL WAREHOUSE USES NEAR THE INTER THE INTERCHANGE AND THE EAST IS INTERSTATE 95 RIGHT AWAY AND THE WEST IS SCATTERED RESIDENTS AND UNDEVELOPED TRACKS.

UM, THE PROPOSED GENERAL COMMERCIAL ZONING WILL SERVE AS A COMPAT COMPATIBILITY BUFFER BETWEEN AGRICULTURAL AND INDUSTRIAL PROP PROPERTIES, WHICH WAS STRENGTHENED THE CORRIDORS ECONOMIC PROFILE.

AND, UM, ALL FUTURE SITE DEVELOPMENT WILL BE REQUIRED TO COMPLY WITH THE UNIFIED DEVELOPMENT CODE, INCLUDING THE LANDSCAPING, THE BUFFERING, THE TRAFFIC CONSIDERATIONS, ENSURING PROTECTIONS OF NEARBY RESIDENTIAL PROPERTIES.

UM, THE, UM, PLANNING COMMISSION REVIEWED THE REQUEST AT THEIR, UM, NOVEMBER THE 18TH MEETING AND DETERMINED THE REZONING IS CONSISTENT WITH THE COMPREHENSIVE PLANNING, COMPATIBLE WITH THE SURROUNDING LAND USES AND APPROPRIATE FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

[00:35:01]

AND THEY ARE RECOMMENDED THAT THIS COME TO YOU ALL TO REVIEW FOR APPROVAL OR DENY FOR THE ZONING MAP AMENDMENT TO CHANGE THE, UM, OFFICIAL ZONING MAP FROM GENERAL COMMERCIAL, I MEAN FROM AGRICULTURE TO THE GENERAL COMMERCIAL.

AND I'M HERE TO ANSWER ANY ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS.

MS. MS TAB JOINING LANDOWNERS, THEY'VE BEEN NOTIFIED THEY DON'T HAVE ANY PROBLEMS. YES.

AND WE HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANY, UM, LETTERS OR ANY, UM, REQUESTS THAT THEY DID NOT APPROVE FROM ANY, UM, ADJACENT PROPERTY OWNERS.

ALRIGHT.

OKAY.

THANK YOU MRS. YO, YOU WELCOME.

WE HAD TO MAKE SURE YOU WASN'T SNEAKING THOSE SOLAR PANELS OR SOMETHING IN HERE.

NO, SIR.

NO SIR.

.

ALRIGHT, DO I HAVE A MOTION? WE APPROVE THIS FIRST READING ALL MOTION FROM COUNCILMAN INE SECOND COUNCILMAN RICHARDSON.

ALL IN FAVOR? AYE.

ALL OPPOSED.

MOTION CARRIES.

NEXT

[18. Finance Report – Tammy Rodvansky, CFO ]

MS. TAMMY RODSKY.

GOOD EVENING.

GOOD EVENING.

I'LL START TONIGHT WITH THE C FUNDS REPORT.

WE CURRENTLY HAVE TOTAL FUNDS AVAILABLE OF $8,713,736.

WE HAVE TOTAL COMMITMENTS.

I AM SORRY, HOLD ON ONE SECOND.

TOTAL COMMITMENTS OF $4,834,021, LEAVING US A FUND BALANCE OF $3,808,899.

THAT IS NOT COMMITTED AS OF THIS POINT.

NEXT I WILL TALK ABOUT THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE GENERAL FUND.

TAX BILLS HAVE GONE OUT.

REVENUE IS STARTING TO COME IN FROM THE REAL ESTATE TAXES, BUT I DO NOT HAVE REVENUE FIGURES AT THIS POINT IN TIME.

OUR EXPENSES YEAR TO DATE ARE $15,260,778.

THAT IS 48% OF OUR BUDGET.

WE SHOULD BE AT 42% AT THIS POINT.

SO WE ARE STILL RUNNING A LITTLE HIGH, BUT THERE ARE LOTS OF CONTRACTS AND INSURANCE AND OTHER THINGS THAT ARE PAID OUT AT THE BEGINNING OF THE YEAR.

AND THIS WILL START TO LEVEL OFF.

NEXT I HAVE THE FIRE AND RESCUE.

AND AGAIN, I DO NOT HAVE REVENUE AT THIS POINT, JUST EXPENSES.

SO CURRENT YEAR TO DATE EXPENSES ARE $3,698,621.

THAT IS 39% OF THEIR BUDGET.

SO THEY ARE RUNNING UNDER BUDGET AT THIS POINT.

AND THEN I HAVE WATER AND SEWER.

THEIR OPERATING REVENUE TO DATE IS $673,578.

THEY HAVE TOTAL OPERATING EXPENSES OF 304 , SORRY.

THEY HAVE TOTAL OPERATING EXPENSES OF $394,895.

SO THEY ARE AT AN OPERATING REVENUE OF $278,683.

BUT WHEN WE TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THEIR DEPRECIATION EXPENSE, BOND, INTEREST EXPENSE AND INTEREST INCOME, THEY ARE AT A NET UTILITY INCOME LOSS OF $30,558.

ANY QUESTIONS? NOBODY GOT ANY QUESTIONS FOR MS. TAMMY? THANK YOU MS. TAMMY.

NEXT WE HAVE

[19. Administrator’s Report –Walt Ackerman, County Administrator ]

MR. WAL .

THANK YOU MR. CHAIRMAN.

UM, I'D LIKE TO START THE REPORT TONIGHT BY GIVING A BIG ROUND OF KUDOS TO A LOT OF OUR STAFF.

UM, IT CAME OUT IN A STATEWIDE PUBLICATION THIS WEEK, UM, CALLED THE ENERGY CONNECTION.

UM, A PROJECT THAT CLATON COUNTY UNDERTOOK WAS THE LEAD ARTICLE IN THAT PUBLICATION.

THIS WAS, UM, A LOT OF HVAC EQUIPMENT THAT WAS REPLACED ON SEVERAL COUNTY BUILDINGS USING GRANT FUNDS.

UM, THIS WAS WHAT YOU CALL A TRIPLE HOME RUN.

UM, WE'VE GOT HVAC EQUIPMENT PURCHASED BY A GRANT.

WE'VE GOT NEW EQUIPMENT THAT'S MORE ENERGY EFFICIENT, WHICH WHICH SAVES US MONEY.

[00:40:01]

SO IF YOU'RE GONNA HIT A HOME RUN, YOU MIGHT AS WELL HIT ONE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE PARKING LOT AND NOT JUST DRIBBLE IT OVER THE FENCE.

BUT I'D LIKE TO GIVE A A A LOT OF CREDIT TO OUR GRANTS DEPARTMENT, OUR CAPITAL PROJECTS TEAM, OUR PROCUREMENT FOLKS, UM, AND OUR FACILITIES FOLKS.

THEY'VE DONE A WONDERFUL JOB ON THIS PROJECT AND HOPEFULLY THEY CAN TEAM UP TOGETHER AND DO SOME MORE.

SO GOOD JOB WITH THEM.

UM, A LOT OF PROJECTS ARE UNDERWAY BY THE COUNTY.

YOU'VE GOT A A LOT OF DETAIL IN YOUR COUNCIL PACKET.

UH, FEEL FREE TO GO OVER THAT, BUT JUST BRIEFLY, UM, THE EOC 9 1 1 FACILITY, THEY'VE ACTUALLY STARTED SOME OF THE SITE WORK.

UM, ABOUT THE TIME THEY GOT MOVING DIRT, WE FINALLY GOT RAIN THAT WE WERE WAITING ON FOREVER, SO IT'S KIND OF PUT A LITTLE HALT ON THEM THERE FOR A MINUTE.

UM, WE'VE BEEN DOING A LOT OF WORK ON THESE SKIP GRANT PROJECTS.

UM, THE BIG WATER TANK IS THEY FINALLY MOBILIZED.

THEY'RE GONNA GET THAT SET UP.

THEY SHOULD BE DONE, UM, ACTUALLY HAVE THAT UP IN THE AIR WITHIN ABOUT THE NEXT THREE MONTHS.

UM, THE PUBLIC WORKS AND FLEET BUILDING, UM, THEY'RE ACTUALLY WORKING ON THE INTERIOR CONSTRUCTION, THE WALLS AND STUFF ON THE INSIDE NOW THAT'S COMING ALONG VERY NICELY.

UM, THE ANIMAL CONTROL BUILDING NEXT DOOR, THEY'VE STARTED GOING VERTICAL ON IT.

THE STEEL'S GOING UP.

UM, THE COMMUNITY COMPLEX, A KAA WELDING AUDITORIUM, THAT PROJECT'S MOVING ALONG.

UM, IT'S AN AGE VERY AGED FACILITY AND WE HAVE RUN INTO A COUPLE OF SNAGS, UM, THAT'S, YOU HATE TO SEE 'EM, BUT THEY'RE NOT UNEXPECTED WHEN YOU'RE DEALING WITH IT WITH AN OLDER FACILITY.

UM, BUT WE'RE, WE'RE MOVING THROUGH THOSE ISSUES VERY NICELY.

UM, I THINK THE NEW FIRE STATION IS, IS BASICALLY COMPLETE AT THIS POINT.

UM, I DID INCLUDE A LIST OF THE ROAD PROJECTS.

I WAS GOING TO GO OVER 'EM.

UM, THE YOUNG MAN TALKED IN THE BACK ABOUT, ABOUT THAT PARTICULAR ROAD.

IT'S ON THAT LIST.

THERE ARE ABOUT 14 PROJECTS, I THINK, OR 12.

I'M SORRY.

THERE'S 12 TOTAL ROAD PROJECTS ON THE LIST.

UM, AND THEY'RE IN VARIOUS STATES OF, OF PROCESS AT THIS POINT.

UM, AND I DO WANNA BRING OUT, UM, I FOUND OUT TODAY, UM, GOT WORD FROM MS. TABATHA.

I THINK THAT LOWE'S IN, IN MANNING HAS PLANNED A SOFT OPENING FOR JANUARY 22ND OF 26TH AND THE GRAND OPENING ON JANUARY 30TH OF 26TH.

SO THAT'LL BE A A A MAJOR BUSINESS COMING TO TOWN AND A LOT OF PEOPLE WILL, WILL, I'M SURE BE GOING THROUGH THE DOORS TO LOSE.

AND THAT'S ALL I HAVE THIS AFTERNOON, MR. CHAIRMAN.

UM, HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS OR ANYTHING THAT YOU GUYS MIGHT HAVE.

THANK YOU, SIR.

NEXT WE HAVE A CHAIRMAN'S

[20. Chairman’s Report – Jay Johnson, Chairman of County Council ]

I'M GONNA KIND OF SPLIT MY CHAIRMAN'S REPORT A LITTLE BIT.

I'M GONNA SAY SOMETHING REAL QUICK, KIND OF BRIEF, AND THEN I'M GOING TO FINISH UP THE MEETING AFTER WITH, WITH MY FINAL CHAIRMAN'S REPORT.

BUT, UH, YOU, YOU BROUGHT UP THOSE AND I, I SAW TODAY ON THE, ON THE FACEBOOK, SO, YOU KNOW, IT'S GOTTA BE TRUE IF IT'S ON THE FACEBOOK, RIGHT? UM, THEY, UH, THEY'RE HAVING SOME, UH, FORKLIFT TRAINING CLASSES, I THINK TO, UH, TO HIRE EMPLOYEES AT LOWE'S AND, AND PRETTY GOOD SALARIES COMING OUT WITH THAT.

SO IF YOU GOT SOME FRIENDS OR FAMILY OR SOMETHING THAT MIGHT BE LOOKING FOR A JOB, THAT MIGHT BE A GOOD OPPORTUNITY FOR 'EM.

UM, THANK EVERYBODY FOR, FOR JUST THIS, THIS IS ACTUALLY MY 12TH MEETING.

I I'VE BEEN HERE FOR A WHOLE YEAR NOW.

UM, AND IT, IT'S, IT'S BEEN A LOT OF UPS AND DOWNS AND IT'S, IT'S A REALLY, REALLY BIG LEARNING PROCESS.

I'LL BE HONEST WITH YOU.

IT WAS ABSOLUTELY NOTHING LIKE I THOUGHT IT WAS GONNA BE WHEN I WALKED IN HERE TO START WITH.

UM, IT, IT'S HARD TO MAKE EVERYBODY HAPPY, BUT I GUESS IF YOU'RE MAKING A FEW PEOPLE HAPPY, THAT'S BETTER THAN THAN THAN EVERYBODY HATING YOU, SIR.

BUT, UM, IT'S CHRISTMAS TIME AND, UM, I THINK WE SHOULD ALL, UM, CELEBRATE THE FACT THAT WE MADE IT THROUGH A YEAR AND, AND I THINK WE'RE HEADED IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION AS A COUNTY.

AND, UH, LET'S DON'T FORGET THE, THE REASON FOR THE SEASON AND THAT IS OUR LORD AND SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST.

UM, AND I KNOW IF WE CONTINUE TO PUT OUR TRUST IN HIM, WE'LL, WE'LL CONTINUE TO HEAD IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION REGARDLESS OF WHAT ANYBODY THINKS.

NEXT UP, WE'RE GONNA HAVE

[21. Executive Session ]

SO IF I COULD GET A MOTION TO GO IN EXECUTIVE SESSION.

ALL MOTION.

WE GOT MOTION FROM COUNCILMAN RODIN.

A SECOND.

COUNCILMAN COKER.

ALL IN FAVOR? ALL OPPOSED, WE SHALL RETURN IN A MOMENT.

ALL RIGHT, I'LL TAKE A MOTION.

WE

[22. Open Session ]

MOVE SECOND.

GOT A MOTION FOR COUNCILMAN FRIERSON.

SECOND.

COUNCILMAN RICHARDSON.

ALL IN FAVOR? AYE.

ALL OPPOSED? WE ARE NOW BACK IN OPEN SESSION.

[00:45:01]

SORRY, IT TOOK A LITTLE BIT LONGER THAN WE THOUGHT IT WOULD, BUT, UM, NOW I'M GOING TO GO BACK AND, UH, TAKE A QUICK MINUTE AND FINISH MY CHAIRMAN'S REPORT BY YIELDING THE FLOOR TO FIRE CHIEF MICHAEL JOHNSON.

WELL, GOOD EVENING AGAIN, CHAIRMAN AND MEMBERS OF COUNTY COUNCIL AND THE CITIZENS OF CLEARING ACADEMY.

UM, I'M PROBABLY GONNA DO SOMETHING RIGHT NOW THAT HAS NEVER BEEN DONE IN EXEC OR COMING OUT OF AN EXECUTIVE SESSION.

BUT I'M GONNA TELL YOU EVERYTHING THAT WE TALKED ABOUT IN EXECUTIVE SESSION, THE PANEL YOU SEE SITTING UP HERE IN FRONT OF YOU, IT'S NOT AN EASY JOB.

AND I WENT BACK AND I WANTED TO PERSONALLY THANK EACH OF THEM FOR SUPPORTING US AS A DEPARTMENT.

YOU SEE, I'VE BEEN WITH CLATON COUNTY FIRE RESCUE FOR 25 YEARS, AS YOU SAW TONIGHT.

FOR SOME OF YOU, YOU'LL UNDERSTAND WHAT THAT 25 YEAR MARK MEANS, AND THAT MEANS I'M ELIGIBLE TO RETIRE.

SO JANUARY THE SECOND WILL BE MY LAST WORKING DAY FOR CLA COUNTY.

JANUARY 3RD, HE'LL BE RETIRED.

BUT AS I SPOKE TO THIS GROUP IN FRONT OF YOU, I'M GOING TO SPEAK TO YOU FOR JUST A MINUTE TOO, AS CITIZENS OF CLARATON COUNTY, I JUST WANTED TO SAY THANK YOU FOR TRUSTING ME TO RUN THIS ORGANIZATION.

IT HAS BEEN THE HARDEST JOB I HAVE EVER DONE IN MY LIFE, BUT IT'S THE MOST REWARDING.

I WATCH OUR CREWS EVERY DAY DEAL WITH TRAUMATIC SITUATIONS AND SOMETIMES THEY'RE NOT SO TRAUMATIC.

JANE DOE OR JOHN DOE IS JUST FALLING ON THE FLOOR AND THEY NEED HELP GETTING PICKED UP, BUT THEY SMILE AND THEY GO HELP.

IT'S WHAT IT'S ALL ABOUT.

SO TONIGHT I JUST TELL YOU THANK YOU, THANK YOU FOR TRUSTING IN ME.

UM, I HAD THOUGHT ABOUT RETIRING A LITTLE BIT EARLY, BUT I DID NOT.

I TOLD THEM I WANTED TO SEE MY NAME ON THE WALL OUT HERE.

UM, BUT I PROMISE YOU THIS, NOTHING'S BAD.

THAT'S GOING ON.

EVERYTHING'S GOOD.

AND CLATON COUNTY FIRE RESCUE IS SET UP AND IT'S IN GOOD HANDS.

SO Y'ALL ARE GONNA BE SAFE.

YOU'RE, YOU'RE GONNA BE WELL PROTECTED.

SO I ASK YOU JUST TO SMILE AND WAVE AT 'EM AND TELL 'EM, TELL 'EM THANK YOU.

EVERY NOW AND THEN YOU SEE 'EM BECAUSE THEY DO DESERVE IT.

MR. CHAIRMAN, GENTLEMEN OR MEMBERS OF COUNCIL, SORRY, MR. ACKERMAN, I TOLD HIM ON HIS FIRST MEETING, MR. ACKERMAN, I RETIRED .

BUT UM, AGAIN, THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU DO.

THANK YOU FOR WHAT YOU DO FOR THE CITIZENS OF THIS COUNTY.

I KNOW IT'S A TOUGH JOB, BUT I TRULY, AND I GREATLY APPRECIATE YOU.

SO THANK YOU.

THANK YOU.

THANK YOU MR. CHAIR.

BEFORE WE

[8. Requests (Part 2 of 2)]

SO WE NEED TO OFFICIALLY RECORD AS THAT CORRECT MADAM CLERK.

SO IF Y'ALL WOULDN'T MIND JUST DOING THAT AGAIN FOR POSTERITY TO MAKE SURE WE GOT IT ON EIGHT B.

CAN I GET A MOTION? MAKE A MOTION.

I GOT A MOTION FROM COUNCILMAN COOPER AND A SECOND ONE RIGHT HERE FROM MY MAIN COUNCILMAN RICHARDSON.

ALL IN FAVOR? AYE.

AYE.

ALL OPPOSED A B.

MOTION CARRIED.

AND THEN WHILE WE WERE ALSO IN EXECUTIVE SESSION YOUNG, MR. ELMORE, WHO WAS ALSO A WINNER OF THE HOLIDAY CARD CONTEST, CAME IN THE DOOR UNEXPECTED.

LISA, I WOULD TAKE ASK THAT WE TAKE A MOMENT

[00:50:01]

ABSOLUTELY.

MR. CHAIRMAN, THIS IS MR. CHRISTIAN ELMORE.

HOW YOU DOING? YEAH, THANK YOU MR. CHAIRMAN.

I COULD DRAW THAT FROM MY LIFE DEPENDED ON IT.

WELL, WITH THAT I WILL SAY WE WILL ADJOURN 2025.

DO I HAVE A MOTION WITH ADJOURN? GOT A MOTION.

COUNCILMAN RODIN AND A SECOND ONE FROM COUNCILMAN RICHARDSON.

ALL IN FAVOR? AYE.

ALL OPPOSED, WE WILL SEE Y'ALL IN 2026.